Originally Posted by honeybee_2000
so all I do is rest the hoop frame on the unquilted part of the quilt so my hand is free under the hoop and the needle in the other hand
Yes this is what I do. I am not holding the hoop at all and I have a plain hoop, not the kind that has a lap stand. I am right handed so my left hand is underneath and I feel for the needle with my index finger my right hand is manipulating the needle. I kind of bunch things up to get the hoop at the angle I like. I am constantly manipulating it too because I can only hand quilt towards me or away from me. As much as I have tried I can't go side to side.